The Oscars 2008 - Results and Opinion

I'd like to start this post with something of a disclaimer: just because I picked someone as being the person who I thought should win an award does not mean that I think the person who DID win didn't deserve to do so. I think that this year that there wasn't a single nominee in any category, actor or film, who didn't deserve to be there. I'm just telling you how I would have voted had the Academy put a form in front of me and asked me to do so (a girl can dream!).

My choices were picked partly on a sort of justice system. Kind of like the Academy giving Scorcese an Oscar for The Departed when he has made better films in the past, and handing the The Return of the King 11 of them as a way to make up for the previous two winning precious little. But I also picked them on their own individual merits and how much I enjoyed them.

Best Film: my choice - Atonement; Academy's choice - No Country For Old Men.
I chose Atonement for two main reasons, 1: its British, and 2: Joe Wright. British films do notoriously poorly at the Oscars in the best film category and I think Atonement is a fantastic film, adapted from a fantastic book. Its play on the heritage genre, and its sharp, cold, and stark portrayal of the character's lives, along with THAT tracking shot on the beach, make it one of the most memorable and moving films of the year. I also picked it because I felt that Joe Wright, a brilliant British talent and excellent director, was snubbed in the Best Director category, so I wanted this to win Best Film as recompense for that.

Lead Actor: my choice - Viggo Mortensen; Academy's choice - Daniel Day-Lewis.
I picked Mortenson for Eastern Promises just because he excites me so much as an actor. In this very physical role, his ability to act with every muscle of his body is shown off to its full effect, and his ability to convey so much through performance means that even if he was mute for the entire film, a huge essence of the character would come through. Each of his roles seem to posses him in some way, so that like a true chameleon he seems to be a perfect fit for any roll he chooses. In my opinion one of the finest and under appreciated actors of his generation. However if he had to lose out on an Oscar to anyone, I couldn't be happier with British actor Daniel Day-Lewis taking the statue. Another extremely fine actor, and an outstanding performance in There Will Be Blood.

Lead Actress: my choice - Julie Christie; Academy's choice - Marion Cotillard
I went British again for this one (I sound like a broken record) but Julie Christie's performance in Away From Her is up there, for me, with her Oscar winning performance in Darling. And after all, if she was good enough then, I figured she was good enough now. But that doesn't do credit to her fellow nominees and Marion Cotillard was equally superb as Edith Piaf, so I can't really complain!

Best Director: my choice - Joel and Ethan Coen; Academy's choice - Joel and Ethan Coen!
To be honest I picked them because there's two of them and they're great and I am a huge fan. Even if they had made Norbit I would have wanted them to win (not that they would have, of course, but you get my drift). For once the Academy agreed!

There are 4 more of the 12 categories that I made choices for that the Academy also agreed with me on. I am extremely happy that Ratatouille, Sweeney Todd, The Bourne Ultimatum and Juno all won. I think they were the right choice in each of their categories and, for those nominated at least, on the night, the Academy got it more or less right.

Coxy